The battlefield seemed to still for a moment as Belphegor's voice cut through the chaos.
"Powerful, isn't he? Man, this whole way has been a major annoyance. Why don't you humans just give up?"
Eddard froze, realizing the prince's presence. His voice was calm, almost detached. "You're one of the princes that remain."
Belphegor's grin was lazy, his tone mocking. "And you are a human who's enough of an annoyance that I have to get involved."
Eddard's lips curled into a grin, excitement flashing in his scarred face. "A prince, huh? I get to see it myself. Show me the magic power that made you so renowned!"
Belphegor chuckled softly. "Hate to break it to you… I'm no good at magic."
The words had barely left his mouth before he blurred forward. The air cracked as his fist connected with Eddard's ribs, sending him flying. Dust and stone erupted as Eddard's body smashed into the earth, carving a crater.
For a heartbeat, silence. Then Eddard coughed blood, dragging himself upright. Insane strength… definitely enhancement magic.
He spat crimson onto the dirt and shouted, "Hey, prince! Punch harder!"
Belphegor's eyes narrowed. "Why keep going?" He charged again, his speed monstrous.
Eddard clasped his hands together, his mind racing. He's a physical beast. Always brains over brawn, buddy.
"Light Magic, basic spell — Flashbang!" A blinding burst erupted, halting Belphegor mid-stride. The demon cursed, clutching his eyes.
"Damn it! That bastard!"
Eddard's voice rose, steady and commanding. "Creation Magic — Binding Chains!" Glowing chains erupted from the ground, wrapping around Belphegor, anchoring him in place. The demon strained, muscles bulging, but Eddard pressed on.
"Tier Six Lightning Spell — Thor's Hammer Strike!"
The sky darkened. Clouds spiraled violently, thunder rolling. A colossal bolt descended, striking Belphegor with explosive fury. The blast shook the battlefield, the smell of ozone filling the air.
Eddard's chest heaved, sweat dripping. "I'm not done yet!" He pulled a vial from his pocket, drinking deeply. His aura flared.
"Metal and Creation Magic — Adriano's Duplicate Sword!" A gleaming blade appeared in his hand.
"Metal Replication Magic — Thousand Swords!"
The air shimmered as thousands of blades materialized, hovering like a storm of steel. With a swing, they flew into the crater, impaling Belphegor in a relentless barrage.
Eddard's voice cracked with desperation. "Come on… tell me that's enough."
The smoke parted. Belphegor emerged, charred, impaled, yet still standing. His eyes burned with fury.
Eddard screamed, "Die, you monster! Metal Enhancement Magic — Piercing Blade!" He propelled himself forward, his blade piercing the demon's chest. Belphegor staggered, vomiting blood.
But then his gaze locked onto Eddard — cold, determined. Fear froze the human. Belphegor wound back his arm slowly, deliberately. Then, in a blur, his fist smashed into Eddard's face.
The world spun. Eddard's pupils vanished as consciousness slipped away. His body crashed into the dirt like a ragdoll.
Belphegor advanced, his voice low and chilling. "I'll give it to you. I haven't felt anything in five hundred years. But the anger you've stirred in me… it's more than anything I've ever felt. Human, you made the Sin of Sloth exert force. You are truly strong. Now you will die knowing that."
Eddard lay motionless, frothing at the mouth, his body paralyzed. Belphegor raised his fist for the killing blow. Dust rose as the punch descended — but when it cleared, shock twisted his face.
His fist was caught.
Eddard's eyes turned black, his pupils shining brighter than ever. His voice was ragged, but defiant. "You bastard… you knocked off my pendant. Neither of us wanted that."
Meanwhile, the clash between Azazel and Beelzebub unfolded with brutal rhythm.
Azazel pressed hard, his blade swinging in relentless arcs. Beelzebub parried and dodged, his grin mocking. "Keep it up, Azazel!"
Azazel remained silent, his strikes growing sharper. He reversed his swing — the flat of the blade smashed into Beelzebub's skull. The prince staggered, only for Azazel let go of his blade and to seize his face before driving a crushing blow into his stomach. Blood sprayed as Beelzebub was launched upward.
Azazel followed with a hook, but Beelzebub countered midair, his roundhouse kick slamming into Azazel's head. Both staggered back, glaring.
"Come on, Azazel. You can do better than that," Beelzebub sneered.
Azazel's blade hovered above him, then multiplied. A thousand replicas encircled Beelzebub, gleaming ominously. The prince began a spell, but Azazel snapped his fingers.
The blades shot forward in a storm of steel.
Azazel's voice was cold, final. "I will exchange no more words with you. I owe you no conversation. I owe you death. And I will pay up."
The blades impaled Beelzebub, tearing through his defenses as Azazel advanced, his aura burning like a fallen star.